Yesterday,
I briefed the Security Council, and it is a great honour for me today
to appear before this Assembly for the second time, to share with you
all a few thoughts about the situation in Syria.

The
Secretary-General has just briefed you on the humanitarian situation
in particular. The numbers he gave illustrate eloquently and also
very sadly the dramatic situation now prevailing in Syria.

On
the ground, however, it is now the security situation that is a major
handicap for the delivery of humanitarian aid. An even greater
handicap is the shortage of funding. As you just heard from
the Secretary-General, the Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response
Plan is only 50 per cent funded and the Regional Response Plan
is only 38 per cent funded.

Mr.
President,

Military
confrontations in Syria have continued, unabated. Indeed,
fighting has expanded geographically to almost all parts of Syria
and intensified very significantly.

Anti-Government
forces have reportedly achieved gains on the ground in several
areas these past few weeks. The areas of territory that they
control are expanding, and at times with strategic value. The
Government, however, remains confident that they will have the
upper hand.

At
the regional level, tension has been high for some time now
along the border between Syria and Turkey. Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon
are equally fearful of the consequences of events in Syria on
their respective countries and people. Palestinian refugees,
who number over 500,000, are also concerned that they not be
dragged into the conflict raging around – and at times inside
– their camps. Hundreds of Palestinian refugees have already
been killed including UNRWA staff.

Developments
in and close to the Israeli-Occupied Golan are also a source of
worry. It seems that the Disengagement Agreement between Syria
and Israel is also being affected. The potential for escalation
affecting both parties and the larger region, unintentionally or
otherwise, cannot be ignored.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Today I stand before
you tall and proud because I represent the world's one and only Jewish state. A
state built in the Jewish people's ancient homeland, with its eternal capital
Jerusalem as its beating heart.

We are a nation with
deep roots in the past and bright hopes for the future. We are a nation that
values idealism, but acts with pragmatism. Israel is a nation that never
hesitates to defend itself, but will always extend its hand for peace.

Peace is a central
value of Israeli society. The bible calls on us:

בקש שלום ורדפהו

“seek peace and
pursue it.”

Peace fills our art
and poetry. It is taught in our schools. It has been the goal of the Israeli people
and every Israeli leader since Israel was re-established 64 years ago.

Israel’s Declaration
of Independence states, “We extend our hand to all neighbouring states and
their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighborliness, and appeal to them
to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help...”

This
week was the 35th anniversary of President Anwar Sadat's historic visit to
Jerusalem. In a speech just before that visit, President Sadat famously stood
in the Egyptian parliament in Cairo and stated that he would go "to the
ends of the earth" to make peace with Israel.

Palestine comes today to the United Nations General Assembly at a
time when it is still tending to its wounds and still burying its beloved
martyrs of children, women and men who have fallen victim to the latest Israeli
aggression, still searching for remnants of life amid the ruins of homes
destroyed by Israeli bombs on the Gaza Strip, wiping out entire families, their
men, women and children murdered along with their dreams, their hopes, their
future and their longing to live an ordinary life and to live in freedom and
peace.

Palestine comes today to the General Assembly because it believes in
peace and because its people, as proven in past days, are in desperate need of
it.

Palestine comes today to this prestigious international forum,
representative and protector of international legitimacy, reaffirming our
conviction that the international community now stands before the last chance
to save the two-State solution.

Palestine comes to you today at a defining moment regionally and
internationally, in order to reaffirm its presence and to try to protect the possibilities
and the foundations of a just peace that is deeply hoped for in our region.

Mr. President,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Israeli aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip has
confirmed once again the urgent and pressing need to end the Israeli occupation
and for our people to gain their freedom and independence. This aggression also confirms the
Israeli Government’s adherence to the policy of occupation, brute force and
war, which in turn obliges the international community to shoulder its responsibilities
towards the Palestinian people and towards peace.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

This is what diplomats say is an American letter to the UN member states on Palestinian Statehood. It was circulated on 27 September 2012 after the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas's speech before the UN General Assembly, diplomats added. The letter was quoted by The Guardian on 1 October 2012.

Here is the letter in full text.

Coordination on Potential Palestinian Observer Status Initiative in the
United Nations General Assembly

The United States and its Quartet partners continue to work toward a
two-state solution that would result in a secure, democratic Jewish State of
Israel and a Palestinian State as a homeland for the Palestinian people. We
remain focused on returning the parties to direct negotiations and quiet
contacts towards that end are proceeding.

At the same time, we continue to urge both parties to avoid provocative
one-sided actions that could undermine trust or otherwise distract from the
pursuit of peace. This includes efforts by the Palestinians to potentially
press for a resolution in the UN General Assembly to give “Palestine” non-member
observer state status. Such a resolution would have significant negative consequences
for the peace process itself, for the UN system, as well as for our ability to
maintain our significant financial support for the Palestinian Authority. A
General Assembly resolution on Palestine statehood could also open door to Palestinian
participation as a state in other international for a including at the
International Criminal Court as well as a host of UN Specialized Agencies.
Statehood for the Palestinians can only be achieved via direct negotiations
with the Israelis.

We believe your government understands what is at stake here, and – like
us - wants to avoid a collision at the coming UNGA session. We hope you are
willing to support our efforts, including in your conversations with other
governments and with the Palestinians directly, that such a vote on status in
the UN General Assembly would be extremely counterproductive.

We would appreciate knowing where your government stands on this issue.
We would also be interested in knowing whether you have been approached on this
matter by Palestinian representatives.

Reaffirming
the purposes and principles of the Charter, the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights(1) and relevant international human rights treaties,
including the International Covenants on Human Rights,(2)

Recalling
its resolutions 66/176 of 19 December 2011, 66/253 A of 16 February
2012 and 66/253 B of 3 August 2012, Human Rights Council resolutions
S-16/1 of 29 April 2011,3 S-17/1 of 23 August 2011,(3) S-18/1 of 2
December 2011,(4) 19/1 of 1 March 2012,(5) 19/22 of 23 March 2012,(5) S-19/1 of 1 June 2012,(5) 20/22 of 6 July 2012(5) and 21/26 of
28 September 2012, and Security Council resolutions 2042 (2012) of 14
April 2012 and 2043 (2012) of 21 April 2012,

Guided
by the purposes and principles of the United Nations
Charter, and stressing in this regard the principle of equal rights
and self-determination of peoples,

Recalling its
resolution 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970 (1), affirming, inter
alia, the duty of every State to promote through joint and separate
action realization at' the principle of equal rights and self-
determination of peoples,

Stressing the
importance of maintaining and strengthening international peace
founded upon freedom, equality.justice and respect for fundamental
human rights,

Reaffirming the
applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of
Civilian Persons inTime of War, of 12August 1949, to the Occupied
Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, including, inter
alia, 'with regard to the matter of prisoners,

Reaffirming its
resolution 3236 (XXIX) of22 November 1974, and all relevant
resolutions, including resolution 66/146 of 19 December 20
11,reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people to self~
determination, including the right to their independent State of
Palestine,

Reaffirming its
resolution 43/176 of 15 December 1988, resolution 66117 of 30
November 20 11, and all relevant resolutions regarding the "Peaceful
Settlement of the Question of Palestine", which, inter alia,
stress the need for (a) the withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian
territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem ;(b) the
realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestin ian people,
primari Iy the right to self-determination and the right to their
independent State; (c) ajust resolution of the problem of the
Palestine refugees in conformity with resolution 194 (Hl) of I1
December 1948; and (cl)the complete cessation of all Israeli
settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including East Jerusalem,

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The following Security Council press statement on the situation in the Middle East was read out by Council President Hardeep Singh Puri (India):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached in relation to the Gaza Strip in order to bring about a sustainable and durable cessation of hostilities that had been affecting the Gaza Strip and Israel. The members of the Council called on the parties to uphold the agreement and to act seriously to implement its provisions in good faith. They expressed their continued support for the ongoing international efforts to consolidate this agreement.

The members of the Council strongly commend the efforts of Egyptian President Morsi and others to achieve the ceasefire. The members of the Council also expressed strong appreciation for the efforts of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in this regard.

The members of the Council affirmed the need for the people of Israel and the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip to live without fear. They called on the international community to contribute to improving the living conditions of the people in the Gaza Strip, notably through providing additional emergency aid through appropriate established channels to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and to work in this regard with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Egypt for the expeditious and unimpeded delivery of such humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment.

The members of the Security Council deplored the loss of civilian lives resulting from this situation and reiterated the need to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians and their protection in accordance with international humanitarian law.

The members of the Council stressed the urgency of the restoration of calm in full and reiterated the importance of achieving a comprehensive peace based on the vision of a region where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace with secure and recognized borders.

This
is the full text of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and
Hamas, sources in Cairo and Jerusalem said.

Israel
shall stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip land sea and air,
including incursions and targeting of individuals. All Palestinian
factions shall stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against
Israel, including rocket attacks and all attacks along the border.

Opening
the crossings and facilitating the movement of people and transfer
of goods and refraining from restricting residents' free movements
and targeting residents in border areas.

Procedures
of implementation shall be dealt with after 24 hours from the start
of the ceasefire.

Other
matters as may be requested shall be addressed.

Implementation
mechanism

Setting
up the zero hour understanding to enter into effect.

Egypt
shall receive assurances from each party that the party commits to
what was agreed upon.

Each
party shall commit itself not to perform any acts that would breach
this understanding. In case of any observations, Egypt as a sponsor
of this understanding, shall be informed to follow up. Follow me on Twitter @NabilAbiSaab

The US mission proposed this draft press statement on Gaza, diplomats said. The text will be discussed at the Security Council in a closed meeting at 3 pm today.

Security Council Press Statement
on Situation in Gaza

The following Security Council press statement on the
situation in Gaza was read out by Council President Hardeep Singh Puri (India):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the ceasefire
agreement reached by the parties in order to bring about a sustainable and
durable cessation of hostilities in Gaza and Israel. The members of the
Council called on the parties to uphold the agreement, and expressed their
continued support for the ongoing international efforts to consolidate this
process.

The members of the Council strongly commend the efforts of
Egyptian President Morsi and others to achieve the ceasefire. The members of
the Council also expressed strong appreciation for the efforts of United
Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in this regard.

The members of the Council called on the international
community to provide additional emergency aid to Gazans and to work with Israel
and Egypt on the expeditious delivery of such humanitarian assistance,
including of food, fuel and medical treatment.

The members of the Security Council deplored the loss of
civilian lives resulting from this situation.

The members of the Council stressed the urgency of the
restoration of calm in full.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Recalling
its previous resolutions and the statements of its President
concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially the
presidential statement S/PRST/2012/22 of 19 October 2012 and the
press statements of 2 August 2012 and 17 November 2012 on the
situation in eastern DRC,

Reaffirming
its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and
territorial integrity of the DRC and emphasizing the need to respect
fully the principles of non-interference, good-neighbourliness and
regional cooperation,

Reiterating
its deep concern regarding the rapidly deteriorating security and
humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC due to ongoing military activities
of the 23 March Movement (M23),

Expressing
its deep concern regarding the resumption of attacks by the M23 and
the entry of the M23 into the city of Goma on 20 November 2012, as
well as the continuation of serious violations of international
humanitarian law and abuses of human rights law by the M23 and other
armed groups,

Calling
for all perpetrators, including individuals responsible for violence
against children and acts of sexual violence, to be apprehended,
brought to justice and held accountable for violations of applicable
international law,

Monday, November 19, 2012

This draft press statement is under silence procedure until Tuesday, 20 November 2012, at 9 am. Diplomats said that Morocco changed the language as follows:

SECURITY
COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON SITUATION IN GAZA

The
following Security Council
press statement on the situation in Gaza was read out by Council
President Hardeep Singh Puri (India):

The
members of the Security Council expressed grave concern at the
escalation and steep deterioration of the situation in Gaza and
southern Israel and called on the parties to immediately halt all
violence.

The
members of the Council strongly support the Government of Egypt and
others’ efforts to work towards a negotiated ceasefire. The members
of the Council welcome the mission of the United Nations Secretary
General to the region.

The
members of the Council called for all parties to address the serious
humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza and recalled Resolution 1860
(2009), notably the call for the unimpeded provision and distribution
throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel
and medical treatment.

The
members of the Security Council deplored the loss of civilian lives
resulting from this escalation and emphasized that the civilian
populations must be protected

The
members of the Council stressed the urgency of the restoration of
calm in full.

Gravely
concernedat
the dangerous escalation and steep deterioration of the situation in
and around Gaza, in particular the resulting heavy civilian
casualties, deploringthe
worsening humanitarian situation, and emphasizingthat
the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations must be protected,

Stressingthe
importance of and appreciatingongoing
international and regional efforts aimed at the immediate end of
violence,

Notingin
this regard the important role of the Quartet in seeking a political
solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,

Recallingthat
a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be
achieved by peaceful means,

Reaffirmingthe
right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure and
internationally recognized borders,

1.
Stressesthe
urgency of and demandsan
immediate, durable and fully respected cessation of violence, leading
to the restoration of calm;

2.
Supportsinternational
and regional efforts with a view to a prompt solution of the current
situation;

3.
EncouragesIsrael
and the Palestinian authority to resume without delay a substantive
bilateral negotiating process in order to reach the final goal of
concluding a peace treaty resolving all outstanding issues, including
all core issues, without exception, on the internationally recognized
basis of the two-state solution as envisaged in Security Council
resolution 1850 (2008);

4.
Condemnsall
violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of
terrorism;

5.
Urgesall
parties to address the serious humanitarian and economic needs in
Gaza and to allow for the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian
assistance and personnel to the Palestinian people and to ensure the
unimpeded provision of humanitarian supplies throughout Gaza;

Friday, November 16, 2012

On the situation in Gaza, Morocco circulated a draft statement in the Security
Council "called on all parties to stop immediately all military
activities". Diplomats said that the proposed draft was based on this Statement
that was adopted by the Council on 28 December 2008.

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS
STATEMENT ON SITUATION IN GAZA

28 December 2008

The following Security Council press statement on the situation in
Gaza was read out by Council President Neven Jurica ( Croatia):

The members of the Security Council expressed serious concern at the escalation
of the situation in Gaza and called for an immediate halt to all
violence. The members called on the parties to stop immediately all
military activities.The members of the Council called for all parties to address the
serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza and to take necessary measures,
including opening of border crossings, to ensure the continuous provision of
humanitarian supplies, including supplies of food, fuel and provision of
medical treatment.

The members of the Council stressed the need for the restoration
of calm in full, which will open the way for finding a political solution to
the problems existing in the context of the Palestinian-Israeli settlement.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Attached
is an advance copy of the Report of the Secretary- General
on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701(2006)
for the information of the members of the Security Council.

This
report will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the
symbol S/2012/837.

14
November 2012

Report
of the Secretary-General on the Implementation of Security Council
Resolution 1701 (2006)

Reporting
Period 29 June to 30 October 201

I.
Introduction

1.
The present report provides a comprehensive assessment of the
implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) since my
last report of 28 June 2012 (S/2012/502).

2.
In a press statement on 18 July (SC/10712), the Security Council
members welcomed the prevailing stability across the Blue Line and in
the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon’s (UNIFIL) area of
operations; President Michel Sleiman’s initiative in reconvening
the National Dialogue and the declarations adopted thus far, in
anticipation of the continuation of this process; and the transfer on
11 July by the Government of Lebanon of its annual contribution to
the budget of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. They also expressed
grave concern over repeated incidents of cross-border fire,
incursions, abductions and arms trafficking across the
Lebanese-Syrian border, as well as other border violations,
underlining the importance of full respect for Lebanon’s
sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and the authority of the
Lebanese State in accordance with Security Council resolutions.

3.
Despite the ongoing volatility in the region, calm has generally
continued to hold along the Blue Line and in the UNIFIL area of
operations during the reporting period. The few minor incidents that
arose were handled effectively through UNIFIL’s liaison and
coordination channels. The parties continued to affirm their
commitment to resolution 1701 (2006), but there was no substantive
progress in the implementation of their respective obligations
outstanding under the resolution. There was a worrying spate of
threatening public statements, partly reflecting wider regional
tensions.

Guided
by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and
stressing in this regard the principle of equal rights and
self-determination of peoples,

Recalling
its resolution 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970 (1), affirming,
inter alia, the duty of every State to promote through joint and
separate action realization of the principle of equal rights and
self- determination of peoples,

Stressing
the importance of maintaining and strengthening international peace
founded upon freedom, equality, justice and respect for fundamental
human rights,

Recalling
its resolution 181 (II) of 29 November 1947,

Reaffirming
the Charter principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of
territory by force,

Reaffirming
the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection
of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the
Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,Reaffirming
its resolution 3236 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974, and all relevant
resolutions, including resolution 66/146 of 19 December 2011,
reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people to self-
determination, including the right to their independent State of
Palestine,

Reaffirming
its resolution 43/176 of 15 December 1988, resolution 66/17 of 30
November 2011, and all relevant resolutions regarding the “Peaceful
Settlement of the Question of Palestine”, which, inter alia, stress
the need for (a) the withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian
territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem; (b) the
realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people,
primarily the right to self-determination and the right to their
independent State; (c) a just resolution of the problem of the
Palestine refugees in conformity with resolution 194 (III) of 11
December 1948; and (d) the complete cessation of all Israeli
settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including East Jerusalem,

Monday, November 12, 2012

The
Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative
of the Palestinian people, seeks to enhance Palestine’s status to
that of an Observer State, as a significant step towards fulfilling
the Palestinian people’s natural, historical, and legal rights to
self- determination and independence. This step is a continuation of
the standing Palestinian application for membership at the United
Nations, which was lodged on 23 September 2011.

Together
with the international community, Palestine believes that the status
quo of political deadlock, while occupation, colonization and
apartheid policies become further entrenched, is neither acceptable
nor sustainable. The Palestinian initiative intends to protect the
prospects of peace and accelerate its realization. This step
reaffirms and protects the internationally-endorsed two-state
solution. It is anchored in relevant United Nations resolutions,
including General Assembly resolutions 181 and 194, and international
law.

Placed under silence by Russia – until 4pm today, Monday 12 November 2012.

The members
of the Security Council expressed grave concern at and condemned in the
strongest terms recent threats to foreign citizens, diplomatic missions and diplomatic
agents, emanating from the Damascus military council of the Free Syrian Army.

Recalling,
in particular, the fundamental principle of international law on the
inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises, the members of the Security
Council reaffirmed that such threats are unjustifiable regardless of their
motivations, whenever and by whomsoever declared, and called upon those who
made them to repudiate these provocative statements.

Friday, November 9, 2012

The Security Council is discussing this (revised) draft statement which was proposed by the US, diplomats said.

Draft
Security Council Press Statement

The
Members of the Security Council condemned the repeated violations of
the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement by the Syrian Arab Armed
Forces, in particular that of November 3 in which the United Nations
Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) observed Syrian Arab Armed
Forces conducting operations with at least four tanks inside the area
of separation and that of November 8 in which three shells fired by
the Syrian Arab Armed Forces landed to the West of Line A. The
Members of the Security Council called for an immediate halt to these
violations, which have the potential to jeopardize the ceasefire
between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic.

The
Members of the Security Council called on all parties to abide by the
terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, to cooperate
fully with the operations of UNDOF and to ensure the security of, as
well as unhindered and immediate access for, the United Nations
personnel carrying out their mandate.